The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-12-09
Politics WHEREABOUTS.
An Interesting Digest of Political
Affairs in the Second District,

saturday IiOHeef ITTcSS COntdiHs q iOIR
letter dated from Mankato and written
by special correspondent of that paper,
which is of much interest to people in
this part of the state. "a. w. D." first
pays his compliments TO Mankako in
the following handsome manner:
Few cities outside of the Twins have
grown so rapidly in proportion as Man.
kato during the past two years. The
last time ! was here it was village, and
now it is city with metropolitan airs,
line of street cars, daily paper, gas
and electric light. Aside from the posi-
ton MankatO has taken IN the CONNER
cial world it is the political center of the
Second Congressional district. Every
district in Minnesota has not arrived at
the point where it can boast of a politi-
cal center, but such is the case with the
Second. All the lines of roads in the
district are actually or indirectly con-
nected with MankatO, and when there
is political scheme on foot the manlp-
ulators come to Mankato TO fix 1t up.
But what of politics? Congress has not
yet convened, and the man who was
sent by 1000 majority to represent this
district i'm the house of representatives,
has not vel taken his seat. The Novem-
Der snow is on the ground and the biz
zard-like wind of Dakota comes from
the western plain, while the active poll
tIcian shivers and says there is nothing
doing in politics, and that it is yet too
early to say what is the prospect for the
coming year,
Launching further into the subject of
politics, the writer goes on to consider
the chances of Congressman Lind and
Governor Mcy,iIl, and finds that WIZ
the former is generally conceded a
second term, the latter will meet oppo-
position. He says:
The boiler and oil inspection matters
are used among the people as weapons
against Gov. McGill, ard that this is an
injustice every one who is acquainted
with the facts is well aware. / believe
that the Reed-Stordock prison imbroglio
has done more to injuTe the governor
than any one or several acts of his life.
Stordock Is not liked in the southern
part Of the state, while Capt. Reed has
many friends, and every one of these
friends will be found arrayed against
Gov McGill in the contest next year.
As near as | can ascertain the Republic
cans, or at least a large number of them,
Gill for Il second term.
As to who the favOrite gubernatorlal
candidates are, the correspondent finds
preferences for several, as follows:
These gentlemen, who have concluded
that Gov. Mc(iIll will not succeed him
SELF have already been casting about for
candidate for the head of the ticket.
They all seem to be looking for man
who will concentrate all the factions,
and who will be strong in all parts of
the state. Gov. Wakefield is, or has
been, a favorite son of the people of the
Second district, and ! know that he
would like To round out his political ca
recr as governor of Minnesota. We all
know that he was strongly pushed for
that position once and was defeated, but
while he has some advocates here now
he will never have the support that
once ilocked to hIs standard, and /
doubt if his name will ever receive con-
sIdGTatIOn. The feeling as far as / have
heard, is one way, and the Republicans
of Southwestern Minnesota seem almost
unanimous for w w. Braden for gov
ernor He has the benefit of a wide ac-
quaintance, and has, during his term as
state auditor, become unusually popular.
While no one has been found to say
aught against him, it seems that nearly
everyone has some thing to say in his
favor. ! will quote the expression ola
popular county official of one of the
strong Republican counties of the dis
ssict:
= t"Ls.sa Braden- is an honest man il
every way. vie has discharged the du-
ties of his Office in Highly satisfactory
He has been around the
state great deal, and has made friends
with all people who knew him. He is
an old soldier, served in a Minnesota
and in the early days went
through the privations of Minnesota pi-
Oneers. He will unite the party in the
state, and besides carrying the full
strength of the Republican vote, will
bring over great many Democrats. 1
have yet to find man who does not
speak of him in high terms"
That is the opinion of one man who is
for the state auditor. 9th
ers speak in his praise and there seems
TO be well defined movement to make
the auditor the next governor. There
is speculation us TO other probable can
iidates, of course, and great many
people are wondering if Hon. w. r.
Merriam will go before the conventions;
but some old politicians express the be-
lief that it is vet a little too soon for Mr..
Merriam to press his claims, saying that
he is yet a young man and can well at
ford to wait. Further than this it is
stated the candidate must not
come from either of the Twin Cities.
Mr.. Gibbs, who was claimed as the
candidate year ago, doesn't
seem to be thought of in connection
with the gubernatorial honor, and it is
conceded he will not be a can
4 l,tt g, oh fI,x
candidates for other state offices and, in
fact, it is only congressional and guber-
material candidates that are discussed.
haye not heard of a candidate from
his district for any state office.
The letter ends with few words
about the Democracy, which is found to
De very apathetic, and there are few as
pirants for congressional nomination In
face of the 1000 Republican majority.
Closing, the writer sensibly says:
None can deny the salutary effects of
the high license law, and there are few
cities or towns III this district but what
are better off to-day under the high Ii
cense law than before-that is, if the
of prominent citizens are to
be relied upon. The Republicans of this
district will make a strong fight during
the next campaign. never saw any
more interest manifested so far in adj
vance canvass. Notwithstanding
The Prohibition vote, the disaffection
caused by temperance legislation, and
he usual effect of the party in power on
, canvass, believe the Second district
will give an increased majority for the
State ticket and large vote for the Re-
publican presidential electors.
A CITY in Kansas wants car load of
cats to exterminate the millions of rats
which have made their appearance